Slash and Burn by Matt Hilton is an action packed thriller that takes the reader from Florida to Kentucky to Texas and back to Florida. Slash and Burn is filled with action and violence. Hilton creates a main character, Joe Hunter, whose sense of justice may not always fit inside the law but is based on his own code of right and wrong. The pages are littered with dead bodies as Hunter strives to save two sisters from criminals. Sibling love, friendship, and loyalty are all tested and reaffirmed in Slash and Burn. Driven by greed, Robert Huffman will do anything to protect his criminal empire including murder anyone who dares try to expose him or stand in his way. Though he uses the resources at his disposal, he’s willing to get his hands dirty, enjoys it, in fact. Though there are moments in the story that seem a bit incredulous, the story is compelling enough for the reader to overlook them. Hilton’s detailed fight scenes paint a picture that will make the reader feel as if they’ve been dropped in the middle of the action feeling the heat of the blaze burning, the impact of a punch, the slice of a knife, and the bullet tearing through skin and flesh.
How to Get What You Want Without Having to Ask by Richard Templar is a simple examination of the techniques to get people give you what you want. I didn’t learn anything new from this book, but that’s probably not a fair way to judge the book. I tend to usually get what I want anyway. The techniques described are simple and easy to understand even if a few do seem to contradict others. He sometimes points this out and explains why there are two approaches listed. It may serve someone who struggles to get what they want with some simple techniques to make their desires known. Even though Templar stressses that manipulation isn’t the way to get what you want, some of the techniques described certainly border on manipulation. Others though are simply about learning to express one’s wants in a more effective way. How to Get What You Want Without Having to Ask is well written with a bit of humor thrown in from time to time.
Yoga Anatomy by Leslie Kaminoff discusses yoga’s effect on the body and the body’s effect on yoga. Kaminoff starts by explaining the dynamics of breathing and of yoga breath. This section alone is worth the cost of the book! I noticed an immediate improvement in my breathing during yoga poses and therefore an improvement in the poses after reading the section on breathing. Yoga Anatomy then goes on to show yoga poses from an anatomical view highlighting the parts of the body that should be working and/or that are affected by the pose. The yoga name and a translation for each pose is provided. Each pose is classified and given a level. The joints that are active, the work the body is doing, the muscles being lengthened, the obstacles for each pose, notes to help with the pose, and breathing are all discussed in relationship to each pose. There are moments when the descriptions for the poses have so much in common, the reader feels a sense of de ja vu while reading. I even felt like there were times when I wasn’t actually internalizing what I was reading until I was moving into a pose the next day or even a few days later and would suddenly remember reading about the pose and realize why the pose hadn’t been working for me and how to correct my stance, my breathing, or my focus. Yoga Anatomy is easy to read and understand, but a reader should be prepared to take some time, especially if the goal is to use the book to improve one’s yoga practice. I read it a little at a time over several months in order to internalize what I read about each pose. Yoga Anatomy is a great book for anyone interested in practicing yoga or for anyone who practices yoga but struggles from time to time with a pose or yoga breath. Yoga Anatomy has earned a permanent place on my bookshelf as a reference book! After all, it’s already proven beneficial to my yoga practice.
Anthony Doerr takes the reader into the complex role memory places in life in Memory Wall, his latest book of short stories. In stories that capture the reader’s imagination, Doerr also makes the reader feel grateful for the memories of one’s own life. In sharing the memories of his characters, Doerr examines the role memories play in making us who we are. All the stories examine the importance of memory to the characters and show the extremes to which people will go to hold on to the memories that make them recognize who they are when they look in the mirror. Doerr creates characters the reader will want to know more about even if they aren’t always necessarily likeable. Memory Wall is a collection of short stories, the reader will savor from the first word of the first story to the last word of the last story.
Stacey Rourke’s intriguing debut young adult (YA) novel, The Conduit, introduces readers to the Garrett siblings, Celeste, Kendall, and Gabe, who have been chosen to save the world from a mystical creature called Barnabus who is in a fight with another mystical creature called the Gryphon. Rourke uses humor to demonstrate the reluctance of her characters, especially Celest, to embrace being superheroes. The bond between siblings and, in turn, their bond with their feisty Grandmother keep the reader smiling even during the intense scenes that make the reader feel like striking out at the demons to help the siblings. As the siblings learn about their powers including where they came from and how to control them, they struggle with how their new powers and responsibilities will affect their lives. Their guide, Alaina, imparts the history behind their powers and responsibilities as well as how to use their powers. They alternately listen to her and rebel against her just as teens are prone to doing. Rourke develops an interesting cast of characters in an engaging story that will leave the reader wanting more! The good news is, there is more of the Garrett siblings’ adventures on the way!
D. R. T.: Dead Right There is Ray Ellis’s intriguing second book in the Nate Richards series. Ellis once again grabs hold of the reader and won’t let go in this intense book. A serial killer is targeting registered sex offenders in the Treasure Valley. Richards and his partner, Mac, must stop him before he completes his list. Ellis takes the reader into the killer’s mindset where he believes God is directing him to take out the registered sex offenders. Ellis draws from his own experience as a detective to illustrate the difficulties of life in law enforcement. Richards and Mac miss Thanksgiving dinner with their families because they’re called out to a crime scene. Richards love life becomes complicated when he finally decides to start dating again, and Amber, the woman he professed his love to just before she left town, returns. Richards again feels his faith being tested in both his professional life and his personal life. Ellis gives the reader enough insight into the murderer to remind the reader that there is a human being who was once hurt himself somewhere inside the monster committing the crimes. With characters who are multilayered rather than caricatures of good and evil, D. R. T.: Dead Right There exposes the raw truth that even the most righteous have sinned and that it is human nature to see one sin, especially someone else’s, as worse than others.
Miranda Phillips Walker introduces FBI Agent Megan McKenna in The Well Meaning Killer. Walker draws a parallel between McKenna’s background and a serial killer’s background that is eerie while still portraying that people with similar backgrounds can have very different responses to those events. As McKenna hunts a serial killer who puts his victims in wells, her physical, emotional, and mental strength are challenged. Her tough exterior hides her vulnerability. Walker delves into the killer’s psyche including what created the monster he has become. Walker interweaves a love story that borders on becoming a love triangle into the storyline that leaves the reader unsure where their loyalties lie. She creates characters that the reader wants to know better and characters that will make the reader squirm while reading. There are moments when the reader will be torn between feeling sympathy for the abused little boy and wishing for the death of the monster he becomes. Though at moments the reader will feel frustrated by the decisions of the characters involved and may question the actions of those characters, Walker keeps the reader engaged and longing for justice to be served. The Well Meaning Killer entertains while delving into the cruelty and greed that drive people to criminal activity while exposing the vulnerabilities of their victims. Walker creates a character in McKenna that makes readers anxious for the next book.
Big River, located at 101 NW Jackson Street, provides an atmosphere that is at once casual and elegant lending itself to a nice dinner out or a quick bite just as easily. I’ve eaten there several times and the food has never disappointed. For my latest dining experience at Big River, I ate the cavatelli along with a salad while my husband ate the River Salad. My salad was, well, a salad. It was fresh enough, but nothing particulary exciting. The cavatelli was so delicious, I ate every last morsel! The corn included in the dish gave it a nice surprise and really completed the dish, and this from someone who doesn’t particularly like corn. My husband enjoyed his salad as well. For dessert, I ordered the Chocolate Tier and a cappuccino and my husband ordered the Tiramisu. The Chocolate Tier was fabulous and the cappuccino a nice accompaniment to its sweetness. My husband liked the Tiramisu. Both desserts were so big, we got boxes and brought them home to have after dinner the next night! Our server was excellent! He was very accommodating about moving us inside when the temperature dropped even though we’d requested to eat on the patio. It was a delightful dining experience as is typical of Big River! One thing to keep in mind, Big River is a restaurant to go to for special occasions as it can be rather spendy!
In 21 Ways to Promote Your Book on Twitter, Cherie Burbach introduces the readers to the importance of Twitter in a book marketing campaign. She explains how Twitter works, debunks some common negative perceptions of Twitter and outlines some of Twitter’s best practices. In discussing incorporating Twitter into one’s marketing campaign, she alleviates fear that Twitter will be too time consuming by explaining how Twitter can be useful in only twenty minutes a day. Throughout 21 Ways to Promote Your Book on Twitter, Burbach gives concrete and short examples of authors, includinng herself, using Twitter to promote their books and other work. Burbach’s tips for using Twitter to promote one’s book are easy to understand and easy to follow. She also includes a list of resources to help the author make Twitter work better for them. 21 Ways to Promote Your Book on Twitter is conversational in tone and a quick read filled with information to make one think about the best way to incorporate Burbach’s ideas or use them as a launching pad for one’s own ideas for promoting one’s book.
Sharpshooter by David L. Hoof brought one word to mind repeatedly as I read it: unflinching. The characters were bold, brash, and at times almost too real. The setting was harsh and cold yet beautiful. The story was unapologetic in its examination of human behavior and attitudes. And, all this lead me back to the word unflinching. Hoof’s characters’ words were often far from politically correct and often made this reader flinch or squirm in her seat yet it depicted the characters’ attitudes without question. The characters in the book are deeply flawed but likeable on some level. As the investigation into the murder of Jeb Holloway, political candidate, evolves, the reader is left to wonder if they really care who killed him even as curiosity drives them to find out. When two seemingly less important citizens are killed, the reader must wonder why their deaths are more disturbing than that of the politician’s. The reader will also be torn between wanting the rekindled romance between the Red, the deputy, and Molly, the reporter, to work and to disintegrate even while wanting to know more about it. While, at times, the characters in Sharpshooter seem almost like caricatures even to one another, at other times, they seem like old friends the reader wishes to invite over for a nice leisurely dinner. Sharpshooter’s unflinching examination of the prejudices people hold in their hearts, the wrongs remembered for generations, and the ambivalence that permeates people’s daily lives grabs the reader and won’t let go in an intriguing and layered murder mystery.
Shrink Rap: Three Psychiatrists Explain Their Work by Dinah Miller, M.D., Annette Hanson, M. D., and Steven Roy Daviss, M. D. explain the way psychiatrists perform their jobs. They give detailed explanations of the process and example of possible scenarios to illustrate the various aspects of psychiatry. Written for the layman to understand the process, the book still calls for the reader to pay close attention in order to internalize all the nuances included. While the psychiatrists don’t always agree, they reflect the myriad differences throughout the psychiatric community. They discuss talk therapy, medicinal treatment, hospitalization, outpatient care, and treatment within the legal system in enough depth to demystify psychiatry for most readers. Still, the book does require a certain level of knowledge to fully assimilate the material. Shrink Rap is a book the reader should plan to spend some time reading and studying. It is filled with a lot of useful information. Shrink Rap will make a terrific reference book for anyone who needs mental health care or knows someone who needs mental health as it seeks to remove the stigma often attached to mental illness that keeps people from seeking the care they need. The authors provide a well-written, well-informed, and interesting look at the mental health care system in Shrink Rap.
Robert W. Walker introduces Dr. Jessica Coran, pathologist, to readers in Killer Instinct, the first in his Instinct Thrillers. Dr. Coran is an easy to like character who is intelligent and ambitious. While at times, the reader will want to smack her for decisions she makes, she always justifies her decisions, at least to herself. She is strong, quick witted, and intense while remaining feminine. Walker exposes a vampire story that isn’t a vampire story in the usual sense. He introduces us to a character who is vampiristic in thought and behavior but all too human complete with frailties. Killer Instinct is populated with characters who will draw the reader in, upset the reader, and confuse the reader all the time keeping the reader fully engaged. As the investigation progresses into a series of murders resulting from blood being slowly drained from the victims and the crime scenes providing little to go on, the skills of Dr. Coran and FBI agent, Otto Boutine, who is dealing with personal issues and the growing attraction between him and Dr. Coran, uncover overlooked evidence, hidden evidence, and previously unnoticed links between other unsolved murders. They, along with a team at the FBI, seek the killer with an almost obsessive need. Killer Instinct never lacks intensity or the details to keep the reader reading. Walker leaves the reader wanting to spend more time with Dr. Jessica Coran.
Some of you may remember that I’ve reviewed Tidal Raves , located at 279 NW Highway 101, before, but sometimes a restaurant earns a second review…
Last Friday after a long walk on the beach - a walk that felt more like a hike, on the Oregon coast, we decided to eat dinner at Tidal Raves, one of our favorite restaurants, before driving home. We called and got put on the walk-in list as we neared the end of our walk, but we missed the estimated time by about ten or fifteen minutes. The hostess was very nice and put us back in the queue but not at the very end. The place was crowded as usual. The views of the cliffs and the ocean were as spectacular as always. The food was delicious and beautifully served. My Vegetable Stir Fry was so filling I couldn’t finish it, so my husband did. My husband really enjoyed his Green Curry Halibut. My Spicy Margarita was a nice change of pace of a regular margarita but I don’t know if I would order it again. My husband ordered a Rouge Dead Guy’s Ale and said it was good. The Chocolate Caramel-Nut Truffle we shared for dessert was divine. The menu describes it as ”sinfully decadent” - believe it. Sevice on the other hand was lacking. Our waiter didn’t smile as he approached our table. He took our order in quick businesslike fashion without ever giving off the slightest of a friendly vibe. We watched other tables receive baskets of bread as we sipped our drinks and waited on our entrees. Our waiter never showed with ours. We finally asked for one when he brought our entrees. He returned to the table while we ate our entrees and inquired how my husband’s meal was but didn’t ask about mine. He never smiled and his attitude left us feeling like he didn’t want to serve us. This is the first time I’ve had bad service in Tidal Raves. I hope it was simply a bad night for our waiter and not an indication service is on the decline.
Yoga Zone Yoga for a Strong and Healthy Back contains two programs that could easily be done one right after the other for a longer workout. The instructions are calm, clear and understandable, but the instructors keep talking directly to the other person on the DVD. I found this distracting. I prefer DVDs where the instructor talks directly to the person watching the DVD, the audience, per se. The instructors demonstate and illustrate the poses very well making it easy to follow along. The workouts themselves are appropriate for beginners and perhaps those progressing from beginner level to intermediate. I consider myself intermediate and find the workouts a little too easy. The DVD is excellent for its purpose, focusing on the back. It lengthens, relaxes, and stengthens the back muscles.
Yoga for Stress Relief is a DVD of yoga routines designed to address particular symptoms related to stress. The DVD is divided into four sections: Beginning & Ending Your Day, Neck, Shoulder, & Back Issues, Easing Your Mind, and Stomach & Digestion Issues. Many of the routines are geared to specific stress related symptoms like tension headaches, insomnia, neck pain, back pain and breathing. There’s even one called “Mood Uplift” for when you just feel a little less than enthused. In all, there are twenty routines of varying intensity and length leaving one little to no excuse for skipping a workout. The length of each routine is clearly noted on the menu, so one knows exactly how long the routine will take. The poses in all the routines are clearly demonstrated and described in a calm, soothing voice. Some props are required to do the poses correctly. The routines contain many of the same elements combined in different sequences allowing the body and the mind to find familiarity and newness in each routine. The DVD is great for beginners and intermediate levels but likely wouldn’t be enough challenge for someone who is advanced in practicing yoga. This is a yoga DVD one can turn to repeatedly to deal with the stress of daily life. I know I do.
Golf Girl’s Little Tartan Book by Patricia Hannigan has me gushing over it. I don’t usually gush over books, but you’ll have to indulge me this one. Patricia’s short, well-written book addresses all those silly concerns women tend to give themselves over the game of golf with a great sense of humor and gentle reassures that it’s perfectly fine to be the woman you are when on the course. I couldn’t believe how many times I caught myself going “Oh, darn, I do that.” or “Shoot, I worry about that.” I laughed out loud through the entire “Squeeze and Swing” chapter. Best advice ever for women golfers!! The book inspired me to finally get up the courage to go play the local par 3 course, and I kept remembering that chapter all day!! Fabulous little book for all women golfers if for no other reason than Hannigan encourages and reminds us that it’s okay to just play for fun and to stop worrying about all the nonsense. I love the way she incorporates anecdotes with the tips and inserts tips into the anecdotes. This book is a keeper. I will refer to it again and again for tips, encouragement, and that little reminder that it’s all about having fun!!
Eat Pray Love by Elizabeth Gilbert is a spiritual memoir. While at times engaging and interesting, it also tends to be whiny and annoying at times. It is always well written though. If one can get past the first half to two-thirds of the book, the end does pick up a bit. The descriptions of place, food, and moments in time are enticing. Gilbert’s honesty about her struggles with meditation and silence will resonate with many readers. Her struggles with indulgences and her vows to herself are honest and raw almost to the point of leaving the reader feeling like a voyeuer.
The Greek Corner Restaurant, located at 1600 N. Orange Avenue, has casual outdoor seating as well as indoor seating. We chose to eat outside even though it started to rain as we arrived. Luckily, there were seats under the canopy. I ordered the pita pizza with mushroom and onion as the other vegetarian options looked like they’d been too much food. I wasn’t very hungry. The pizza had some hits and misses. It was a little heavy on the onions, and the mushrooms tasted like canned mushrooms. The sauce was delicious, the feta chees was abundant, and the crust was nicely crisped . My husband had a Grilled Designer Chicken sandwish which he described at good but not great. We split a dessert, Galaktoboureko. We found it a little plain, but the pastry added a nice texture to the custard. Our waiter was efficient but not exactly friendly but not really unfriendly either. Apparently, we arrived as they were preparing to close, which surprised us as it was quite early; however, we heard another waiter tell another table that that area of town is usually pretty quiet on Sunday evenings. Whether this affected our service or not, I don’t know. While the food was good, I’m not sure if I would eat at The Greek Corner again.
Harry’s Seafood Bar & Grille, located at 101 North Kentucky Avenue (they scored a half point with this Kentucky girl just based on their choice of address), gives off a combination homey and hometown bar vibe. The decor has a musical influence that definitely speaks to jazz. From the moment we arrived, the staff strove to make sure we were comfortable and taken care of. They inquired as to what we needed and when. When I told the waitress we were waiting on friends, she actually smiled and asked if we needed anything while we waited. Her smiling attitude lasted through our very long lunch. By the time we left, it was practically time to order dinner!! When I asked if I could have the Pasta Chicken Louisianne sans the chicken, she smiled and said “of course” without missing a beat! My pasta tasted excellent and was very filling. I couldn’t finish it, especially since I’d already picked out the dessert I wanted. I also ordered a Harry’s Hurricane which was tasty and very fruity. My husband thoroughly enjoyed his fish dish. Our friends very much enjoyed their dishes as well and told us time and again Harry’s is one of their favorite restaurants. My husband and I split Lulu’s Mud Pie for dessert. It was very large, definitely a dessert to split with someone else, perhaps more than one someone else. It is layered with texture and flavor giving each bite both uniqueness and familiarity. Throughout the afternoon, the wait staff checked back with us to see if we needed anything and even volunteered to take photos of our group so everyone could be in the shot. We ordered another round of drinks later in the afternoon. I had to try the Mudtini. It was a nice chocolate martini though I think my recipe might be a tad bit better. They made our visit with not-often-seen friends as delightful and comfortable as sitting in one’s own kitchen. All in all, Harry’s provided a delightful, inviting, welcoming, invigorating atmosphere. I would definitely eat at Harry’s again.
Ethos Vegan Kitchen, 1235 N. Orange Avenue, Suite 101, concentrates on serving healthy and filling vegan cuisine. Patrons order at the counter before finding seating in a relaxing, welcoming atmosphere. There’s a bit of a cafe vibe.While waiting on the food to be served, we enjoyed looking at the nice selection of artwork on the walls. The staff answered questions and showed patience as we perused the menu taking our time to decide what to order. My “What’s the Dilly, Philly?” sandwich tasted really good and filled me up quickly. They readily accommodated my request for no veganaise. I accompanied my meal with a glass of organic white wine, Xarello, that was also delicious. My husband thoroughly enjoyed the Coconut Curry Wrap and a beer, Peak. We left the restaurant full and happy even though neither of us is vegan. I’m a vegetarian, and my husband is a meat eater. Our only complaint with this restaurant was when we returned on Sunday night for another dinner, they were closed.
Coconuts on the Beach, located at 2 Minutemen Causeway, has one thing going for it. It is on the beach and view of the water is spectacular. Service was among the worst I’ve ever seen. Our waitress seemed angry and defensive. When I inquired about getting a pasta dish without chicken because the menu was sadly lacking in anything for the vegetarian, she couldn’t hide her irritation as she told me they didn’t serve that for lunch. Okay, perhaps, I should’ve looked at the menu more closely, but she could’ve at least been polite about it. When my husband couldn’t find our waitress and called over another waitress to send back his undercooked tuna, she came to the table and started arguing that he got what he ordered. I couldn’t believe it. My husband later joked that if she thought her cleavage display was going to make up for bad service and earn her a good tip, she was sadly mistaken. We felt like our presence was an inconvenience to the waitress and therefore the restaurant. My salad was mediocre at best and drenched in dressing. It reminded me why I started ordering my dressing on the side or my salad without dressing years ago. My mango daquiri reminded me of baby aspirin dissolved in water. I can’t imagine returning to Coconuts on the Beach unless I had no other option whatsoever.
Le Rouge, located at 7730 West Sand Lake Road, is a wine and tapas bar. We took seats outdoors to enjoy the Florida night air. Our table ordered espresso, cappachino, and hot tea. The coffee was fine but not outstanding. Hot tea is well hot tea. The outdoor seating provides a nice, comfortable atmosphere conducive to chatting and relaxing together even though it overlooks the parking lot. We were entertained by the occasional sounds of singing coming from indoors. I’m guessing karoake. Service was efficient and our server made it known she was available if we needed anything but didn’t interfere with our conversation.
Roy’s Hawaiian Fusion Restaurant, located at 7760 West Sand Lake Road, provides an inviting, vibrant atmosphere that brings a little extra energy to diners. The servers are very friendly and helpful. The menu doesn’t provide much information in regards to vegetarian dishes, so diners must ask the server. The server, however, was more than happy to provide vegetarian options when asked. Our table split the vegetable spring rolls, and everyone enjoyed them. I ordered the mango mojito. While it tasted okay, it would’ve benefited from a little more mango puree. My entree was the portobello mushrrooms with vegetables. The chef opted without prompting to add greens to my entree as I’d requested it without the cheese that normally accompanied it. The dish including the greens was excellent. My husband had a fish dish that he said was tasty though he wished he’d realized it came with bacon, so he could’ve requested the bacon be omitted. The table split the chocolate souffle with vanilla ice cream. It was quite delicious. The restaurant became a bit too loud for comfortable conversation as the evening progressed. The temperature seemed to drop steadily from the time we arrived until we finally left. I was shivering by this point. I understand the need for air conditioning in Florida, but this was excessive. The manager inquired about our satisfaction with the meal toward the end of it. Overall, in spite of the cold and the loud moments, Roy’s served food that I would enjoy eating again.
Cedars Restaurant, located at 7732 W. Sand Lake Road, serves Lebanese cuisine. Our waitress was attentive and helpful. She spoke Arabic with my husband but was always careful to then include me by saying something in English. Little did she know that it didn’t bother me, but the effort was appreciated. When I inquired about vegetarian fare, she recommended the vegetarian sampler of appetizers. My husband ordered the Kibbeh Bi Laban. My vegetarian sampler came with hummus, falafel, tabouleh, and fatayer (spinach pies). It usually comes with baba ghanouj, but I’m not a fan so she substituted extra falafel. My sampler was good even thought I don’t really like cooked spinach. The fatayer was well cooked though ,and my husband enjoyed it. He liked his Kibbeh Bi Laban. We split an order of knafe for dessert. It tasted good. The temperature in the restaurant was quite cold, but the patio is their smoking section. We didn’t move. Cold versus cigarette smoke is an easy decision for me - cold. While the general atmosphere is nice with white table cloths and a slightly formal feel, no one balked at our casual shorts. Dining at Cedars left a smile on my face.
Cravings, located 3149 Ocean Drive, is a little shop that serves cookies, coffee, and a number of other things including some smoothies that sounded delicious. I’m still kicking myself for not trying one. The coffee hit the spot and the cookies were quite tasty though my husband complained that the oatmeal cookie wasn’t chewy. It wasn’t fancy, but the place was full. And, apparently, they have some kind of refill deal as I saw several people bring in their cups and get refills without paying while I debated what I wanted to order. The service was quite friendly but this isn’t the place to go if you’re in a rush. The atmosphere of the staff and the customers is very laid back. If I’m ever in Vero Beach again, I’m going back to try one of the Greek yogurt smoothies and get another cookie.
The Pelican Cafe, 612 US Highway, brings a smile to one’s face before one even enters the door. Guests, okay customers, are greeted with a light, natural floral smell - jasmine, I think - upon exiting their vehicles in the parking lot. The entrance looks like the front porch to a home where everyone is always welcome. Stepping inside, we were greeted by a hostess, who I later learned is one of the restaurant’s owners. She took the time to ask about our day and chitchat a minute about the weather before showing us to our seats. Her smile and her interest were genuine. Service was friendly and bustling as well as attentive without being intrusive. As locals wandered in to the restaurant, we got a feel for the homey atmostphere enjoyed by patrons. It wasn’t only the decor, it was the way the staff interacted with people - like they were family or at least good friends stopping by for a visit. We ordered the Egg White Frittata and the Blueberry Pancakes along with cappachinos. The Egg White Fittata tasted really good but be prepared for a hearty serving of spinach in it. The Blueberry Pancakes were excellent. As we left, the co-owner who’d greeted us as we entered invited us back with a large smile. It felt more like leaving a party than a restaurant. I love places that make you smile whenever you think of them, and The Pelican Cafe is certainly that. Southern hospitality at its best permeates this inviting restaurant.
When we ate dinner at Linda B Steakhouse, located at 320 Crandon Boulevard, there were few patrons. It was early evening, so I can’t say if that’s the norm. They seated us near a window overlooking the parking lot. The decor was rather homey and inviting. I ordered ravioli and my husband ordered a chicken dish. The ravioli tasted fine but wasn’t exactly memorable. My husband said his chicken tasted good. The service was quick and efficient if not exactly friendly. I don’t think our waiter smiled even once. We skipped dessert because we… well, just wanted to leave. We also felt the meal was overpriced for what it was. As we left I noticed a piano, so I would assume there’s live music at some time or the other. The restaurant seemed to hold promise that it just didn’t quite fulfill.
We went to David’s Cafe , located at 1058 Collins Avenue, on recommendation from a couple we chatted with at breakfast while in Miami Beach. They recommended we have pastry and Cuban coffee, but we were still too full from breakfast to even contemplate the pastry. When we arrived, large men seemed to be standing guard at the entrance to David’s Cafe. They opened the door for us as we entered. I giggled. I couldn’t help it. I’m not sure why they were there, but they reminded me of bouncers at a nightclub. We wandered in to a dining/bar area and sat at the bar. We ordered Cuban coffee. It’s dark, rich, and very sweet. I loved it. My husband on the other hand thought it was too sweet. He asked the waiter if he could get one without sugar. The waiter explained that Cuban coffee is typically sweet as he replaced it with an unsweetened one for which we weren’t charged. I looked around the room as I sipped my coffee. The atmosphere was at once relaxing and energizing though I couldn’t figure out the source of the vibe I felt. Looking back toward the area where we entered I noticed framed photos covering two small walls on a bumpout in the room (the place where the coffee was made and served to people on the street) and spilling on to a third wall. A quick examination of the wall showed it was filled with celebrities, politicians, and some faces I didn’t recognize. After I finished my coffee, I looked at the bottom of the cup and frowned. The only problem with the Cuban coffee at David’s Cafe is that it leaves you wanting more…
Aptly named, The Front Porch Cafe, located at 1458 Ocean Drive, is on the front porch! Thank goodness it’s a covered porch because it was raining when we ate there. I found this restaurant on the Internet and wanted to go there for one reason. They reeled me in with the description of their granola pancake. They seated us, and I immediately realized private conversation wasn’t going to happen. The couple next to us could hear every word we said and vice versa. We looked the menu over. I ordered the granola pancakes with fruit and a latte. My husband ordered the Mediterranean Omelette and a latte. The couple next to us smiled at each other when we placed our order. Then they proceeded to tell us how good the granola pancake is and how filling. According to them, if you can eat the whole thing you won’t need another meal until dinner! When my pancakes arrived, I stared at the plate in disbelief. The serving was huge. My husband and I split his omelette and the pancakes. The omelette tasted good but needed a little more goat cheese that was more evenly distribution. The pancake tasted great and was definitely filling. We left more on the plate than I would’ve liked, but we were both just too full to eat any more of it. The lattes were tasty but not outstanding. The service was very slow and nonintrusive while remaining polite enough if not necessarily friendly. I would return here for breakfast if for no other reason than to have that granola pancake again.
The receptionist at the hotel front desk directed us to NoVe Kitchen & Bar, located at 1750 N. Bayshore Drive, for “nightlife”. I’m not sure she understood what we wanted. We were looking for live music or something along those lines. NoVe is a sidewalk restaurant is great views of… the street. There was no live music that night. Apparently that’s reserved for weekends. A quick browse of the menu made me wish we’d eaten dinner there instead of at the Chinese restaurant we’d just left. We wanted dessert and ordered the panqueque with dulce de leche flambee and vanilla ice cream, a cappachino, and an espresso. We shared the panqueque with dulce de leche flambee and vanilla ice cream. I drank the cappachino and my husband drank the espresso. The panqueque with dulce de leche flambee and vanilla ice cream was delicious and the presentation of the flambee aspect was nicely done even though the wind made it difficult for the waiter to get it started. Flaming desserts are always fun! The coffee was also very tasty. We sat for a long time enjoying the weather, watching traffic and people, and chatting with the waiter. My husband also took several photos of the street. No one rushed us or hinted it was time to go. If in Miami, I would definitely go to NoVe again.
Opposites Attract: A Haiku Tete-A-Tete by Mary Braun and Adam Kupka is a delightful read. The back and forth of the haiku on each topic makes the reader think, laugh, or nod but always smile just a little or a lot. I played with reading the topic in the middle of the page before the haiku and after the haiku just for the fun of it. I wanted to see if I could guess the topic without knowing. Sometimes yes. Sometimes no. The occasional haiku will give the reader pause and demand a re-read for clarity or just for enjoyment. Overall, Opposites Attract is a fun, quick, inspiring read. I actually felt inspired to write a haiku - three actually - as I read this book, and while I’m a poet, I generally steer clear of writing haiku. Even for those who aren’t normally poetry readers, this book is an excellent introduction into the idea that poetry can be fun to read!